N O B L E B O R N

Friday, October 16, 2009

Art is a collaboration between God an the artist, and the less the artist does the better. "Andre Gide"

These are a few new pieces that my friend Lance sent me to check out. It's funny that as long as I've known him, I've never received anything from him that I haven't liked. What's even funnier is that no matter how many times I tell him that he'll never believe me. The fact is what I see as amazing, he sees as just another day of sketching. I only hope that the world soon gets to see what I've been so inspired by for years now. Do your thang pimpin! I'll be meeting at the top real soon!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

It is difficult to see the big picture when you are inside of the fame. "Unknown"

Today in the mail I receive somewhat of an early birthday gift from friend and fellow photographer Julian Hibbard. I met Jules and wife Lopi in Brazil some years ago and have remained good friends ever since. After a two week visit to the south last year Julian and I realized we have a lot of similar taste. One being music so, it was great to see that he had sent me lots of new tunes ( Headless Heroes, Dirty Edits, Masher and Bangers Mix) and some great new reading material ( Moondog/The Viking of 6th Ave.). Julian has not yet fail to inspire me. I only hope to do the same for him. Thanks brutha, you are a true friend!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Monday, October 5, 2009

Lemme tell you somethin', this pimpin that I got in my blood, it came from a family tree. My granddaddy was a pimp, my great great Great granddaddy was a pimp. I'm talkin' bout pimpin' since been pimpin' since been pimpin'! "Mike Epps"

I never really got the chance to know my father as well as I would've liked to. When I was about five my dad suffered from a massive stroke that left him in a comma for two weeks and incapable of ever speaking again. He was only 25 at the time. All the details of how and why it happened have never been completely explained to me, tho I still believe it to have been foul play.

My father passed in 97 and over the years it's been interesting to hear some of the stories that have been told about him. I was rasied by my mothers side of the family so it is always interesting to meet my fathers side of the family. I've only ever had one image of my dad. It's a image of him holding me as a baby. The last time I visted my aunt gave me this image and a few others of uncle Jeff (right) and my Father (left). I was always told that my dad and uncles were pimps but, I had know idea. Then again anyone who can pull off a pink jump suit with jacket and still get the ladies has to be a pimp!

Before leaving aunt Cherry's I met my uncle again for the second time. The last words of advice he gave me go as follow.

You a pretty boy, so niggers gone always test you. All you need remember is to never take any wooden nickels, always throw the first punch and don't ever be afraid to take a ass whoopin but, try to avoid taking on when you can.

Friday, October 2, 2009

I never question what to do, it tells me what to do. The photographs make themselves with my help.

"Ruth Bernhard"

Real photographers don't wait for the phone to ring, they go out and take pictures.

"Terry Richardson"

In late 2007 I started work on a series of images of old abandon houses. Being that I've normally shot more fashion and portraits, when I first begin documenting these homes it was often meant for reference, and to be used later as the backdrop in which I'd include a model in hopes of creating story.

After a few months of shooting, the homes begin to take on a life of their on and I couldn't help myself when it came to searching out these places that to me had so much character. I've found that since I begin this project I've found some very old and somewhat isolated places. A few being some 200 years old.

Now, almost three years later what was meant to be reference has grown into a series of close to 60 finished images. Some are being shown this November with Blount Bridgers Museum in North Carolina and with any luck rest will be showing soon!

Most of these are for sell so, if anyone has any questions, feel free to contact me any time.